News from President Jessica Stumpf

Presidential Search Process – Stay Up To Date

Meetings to prepare a presidential recruitment profile have taken place today. The goal was to gather your input on what qualities, skills, knowledge-base you are looking for in the next president.

Angela D. Provart, President of Pauly Group, Inc.* (academic search consulting firm) and Janet Korpi, Director of Talent Acquisition from the Office of the Chancellor, will be on campus to lead this meeting and gather your ideas. This meeting is an open forum for all interested individuals and a great opportunity for you to participate in the future of Anoka-Ramsey Community College.

Coon Rapids Campus: Performing Arts Center (PAC) – 8:45 to 9:30 a.m.

Cambridge Campus: G201 – 10:45 to 11:45 a.m.

If you are unable to attend, feel free to send an email to Angela Provart, President of Pauly Group.

For those of you unable to attend the open forum, please feel free to share your thoughts on what qualities you are looking for in our new leader with Angela Provart, President of Pauly Group. Provart, our consultant in this process, is interested in gathering input from faculty, staff, students and community members!

Smoking Policy Change – New Smoking Areas in Effect Jan. 3, 2011

On Jan. 3, 2011, designated smoking areas will be moved further away from all college buildings. This change comes after extensive consultation and examination of the options

In March 2010, the MnSCU Board of Trustees passed a resolution that encouraged each college and university to consult with students, faculty and staff about further restricting tobacco use on the system's 54 campuses. That same month, former college President Pat Johns appointed a Tobacco Use Policy Task Force, that included representatives from Anoka County, Isanti County and Anoka-Ramsey Community College, to examine the current Tobacco Use policy and gather feedback from all constituents. This Task Force conducted a survey (April 2010) of all college constituents and members of the community. After gathering the results, the Task Force recommended that the Anoka-Ramsey Tobacco Use policy change and turned over their full recommendation to the Anoka-Ramsey Joint Safety and Security Committee in May 2010. This committee considered the following options: make no changes to current smoking policy; create a smoke-free campus; or re-establish smoking areas. After a great deal of discussion and examination of the previous Task Force’s information, the Joint Safety and Security Committee recommended to Interim College President, Jessie Stumpf to re-establish smoking areas. Dr. Stumpf routed the new policy through all constituent groups, allowed for comments/feedback and has accepted the Committee’s recommendation.

Please review these MAPS for details. New signs and receptacles are being ordered and scheduled to be in place by Jan. 3.

Smoking Policy MAPS

There are 11 smoke-free or tobacco-free schools in MnSCU and 22 tobacco-free or smoke-free campuses in Minnesota. Others are in the midst of making policy changes. Here are few examples.

Board of Trustees Encourages State Colleges and Universities to Consider More Restrictions on Tobacco Use

The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities passed a resolution today encouraging each college and university to consult with students, faculty and staff about further restricting tobacco use on the system's 54 campuses.

While all the state colleges and universities conform to the Minnesota's Clean Indoor Air Act, which prohibits smoking in public buildings, some institutions have placed additional restrictions on tobacco use. At least nine colleges and universities have adopted tobacco-free policies. Often, these policies have been adopted at the urging of students.

In presenting the resolution to the board, Trustee Christine Rice, who chairs the board's Advancement Committee, said, "This is an important step. It sends a clear signal to our campuses that while we value these decisions being made at the local level, we also encourage them to help advance the health and safety of everyone on campus with this well-documented risk," Rice said.

The resolution calls on the colleges and universities to consult with their students and employees about additional steps that their institutions can take. These include educating employees and students about the danger of tobacco use to themselves and others, providing information to employees and students about smoking cessation resources and further restricting tobacco use on campuses.

The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system comprises 32 state universities and community and technical colleges serving the higher education needs of Minnesota. The system serves about 260,000 students per year in credit-based courses and an additional 164,000 students in non-credit courses.

Anoka-Ramsey Task Force Examines Tobacco Policies, Practices

Anoka-Ramsey Community College President Johns appointed a task force, which represents all areas of the college community, to work with Anoka and Isanti County Public Health to review current tobacco policy and practices. The goal of this group is to identify best practices, trends, policies and practices of other colleges and universities; explore readiness for potential policy modification or change; and make recommendations regarding potential policy modification or change by mid May 2010. The final decision will be with the administration. This effort is being funded by a grant from Statewide Health Improvement Program SHIP (see more below).

Tobacco-free campuses are becoming common. There are currently 11 smoke-free or tobacco-free schools in MnSCU and 22 tobacco-free or smoke-free campuses in Minnesota: Argosy University, Bethel University, Dakota County Technical College, Itasca Community College, Lake Superior College, Minnesota State University - Moorhead, Minnesota West Community and Technical College - Worthington, Northwest Technical College, Northwestern Health Sciences University, Northwestern College, Rainy River Community College, Rasmussen College - Waite Park and Moorhead, Ridgewater College - Willmar, Ridgewater College - Hutchinson, Riverland Community College (Albert Lea, Austin, Owatonna), Rochester Community and Technical College, University of Minnesota - Crookston, University of Minnesota - Duluth, and Winona State University. St. Catherine's University will go tobacco-free in August 2010.

The Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP), an integral part of Minnesota's nation-leading 2008 health reform law, strives to help Minnesotans lead longer, healthier lives by preventing the chronic disease risk factors of tobacco use and exposure, poor nutrition and physical inactivity. SHIP seeks to create sustainable, systematic changes in schools, worksites, communities and health care organizations that make it easier for Minnesotans to incorporate healthy behaviors into their daily lives. SHIP provided grant opportunities through county community health organizations to implement health-related solutions. Anoka County Community Health and Environmental Services along with County Commissioners and the Community Leadership Team chose the tobacco-free schools intervention. Smoking is a leading cause of death in Anoka County and a major source on chronic health issues.

College Partners with Coon Rapids YMCA, Offers Classes, Free Daycare

As part of its mission to bring education to all people in its service area, Anoka-Ramsey has partnered with the Emma B. Howe Northtown Family YMCA (8950 Springbrook Dr, Coon Rapids) to offer courses at the YMCA site, which will provide free, unlicensed daycare for the children of students.

“We’re excited that Anoka-Ramsey will provide courses at our Emma B. Howe Family YMCA in Coon Rapids,” says Chad Lanners, Executive Director of the Emma B. Howe Family YMCA. “Offering classes here will make it convenient for parents to further their education and will also provide a safe, fun and nurturing environment for kids while their parents are in class. It’s great for everyone.”

To launch the partnership, Anoka-Ramsey will offer three courses in the spring 2010 semester: Interpersonal Communication, On Course (a 1-credit student success course) and Stress Management. Registration for these and all college courses is currently open.

“Partnering with the YMCA in Coon Rapids is a unique opportunity to provide educational opportunities to the greater Coon Rapids community in a supportive and beneficial environment,” say Michael Werner, the college’s off-campus location coordinator. “Not only is this location conveniently located on Metro Transit bus route 852, the same route that goes by the Coon Rapids Campus, students can take advantage of the free, on-site, non-licensed childcare. We are hoping these two advantages help both the YMCA and the college reach and serve the community in a new capacity.”

The YMCA location joins 14 other off-campus sites where students can complete general education requirements (the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum or MnTC) in two years taking full-time coursework.

New Creative Writing Degree Program Brings Talented New Instructors

As part of a new associate in art degree program with an emphasis in Creative Writing, the Coon Rapids Campus has welcomed two new English faculty members: Swati Avasthi and Michelle Herrin.

Swati, a recent graduate from the master in fine arts program at the University of Minnesota, is the author of “Split,” a young adult novel publish by Random House/Knopf. She has another book titled, “Bidden” to be published in 2011. She won a Minnesota State Arts Board grant and had her story "Swallow" nominated for a Pushcart Prize. The mother of two children, she has taught creative writing classes at the University of Minnesota and the Loft Literary Center.

She will be teaching a new class in the spring 2011 semester, “Creative Writing for Children and Young Adults.”

Michelle holds a bachelor of arts in Creative Writing as well as two master in arts degrees, one in Education, and the other in Liberal Studies with an emphasis in Literature and Arts. She was also a 2010 quarterfinalist in the prestigious Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting competition.

She will be teaching “Introduction to Creative Play and Screenwriting.”

"We are thrilled to have such talented new teachers to enrich the new emphasis area in creative writing,” says English instructor, Kate Kysar. “Swati is well-published author with both academic expertise and hands-on experience in creative writing for young adults. Michelle is a fabulous addition, bringing new energy and experience. We hope this new associate’s degree with an emphasis in Creative Writing will appeal to those interested in writing for stage and screen, and for children and young adults. The program offers some unique courses, and we could not have better writing teachers for the program."

Legacy Dinner

The Legacy Dinner, Nov. 19 at the Courtyards of Andover, was held in honor of the hundreds of donors who support the two college foundations. This black tie event also showcases the increasing importance of public funding for higher education. Contributors who have given $50,000 or more to the campus foundations for scholarships were inducted into the Legacy Club, receiving individual recognition, a plaque and a blown-glass award, individually created by college faculty member and renowned glassblowing artist, Bob Toensing. The Legacy Dinner was made possible through financial support from Connexus Energy, which contributed $10,000, thus insuring no scholarship donations were necessary for expenses.

Attendees were treated to a complimentary gourmet dinner and a program featuring guest speaker, Becky Peters, Vice President of TCF Bank, who was paralyzed from the waist at the age of 15, and testimonials from scholarships recipient, Jahlaynah Arnold and Jason Brown.

Cambridge Campus Foundation Chair and college Faculty member, Jeff Edblad congratulates Ray Magnuson and the others from the Memorial Hospital Foundation on earning a Legacy Award.

Verne McPherson (left) President of the Coon Rapids Campus Foundation and College President, Jessie Stumpf present Toni Lowinske of the Mercy Hospital Auxiliary with a Legacy Award.

Ten Artists in 30 Days Art Exhibit

Ten local artists, including Anoka-Ramsey own faculty member Rachel Breen, were invited to create a work of art using the Tychman Shapiro Gallery in November. The project has culminated into a group exhibition on the theme of Sacred Spaces inspired by the work of renowned New York artist, Tobi Kahn.

The exhibition is now part of the 10 Artists in 30 Days project on display in the Tychman Shapiro Gallery.

Minnesota Ceramic Artist Art Exhibit

Art Faculty in Annual Northrup Exhibition More than 40 Minnesota women ceramic artists, including Anoka-Ramsey's own current Art faculty Member, Mary Roettger and upcoming Art faculty member, Margaret Bohls (teaching in the spring semester), will be on exhibit, Dec. 2 through 12, at the Northrup King Building in Minneapolis.

Counselor Gathers Resource Lists for Students

Several years ago, Cambridge Campus counselor, Isabelle Schmidt noted that the college did not have updated resource lists to refer students in times of crisis or concern.

Recognizing Anoka-Ramsey as a first-responder in some instances to the needs of the community through students, Isabelle began putting together local and regional community service contact information for the five county area where most students at the Cambridge Campus reside: Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs and Pine.

“Previously many of the resources listed and available for students related to the metro area,” says Isabelle. “Since students at the Cambridge Campus are generally outside of that region, I decided to make contacts and get listings of updated services.”

Last year, Isabelle finished the project. Now resource lists and the community-at-large are available for students at both the Cambridge and Coon Rapids Campus, allowing people to make contact with service professionals throughout the five county area.

The Community Service brochures currently available thanks to Isabelle‘s efforts include:

“I felt it was important to have resource lists available for students and faculty,” adds Isabelle. “Many Cambridge students live a distance from campus. They are not always able to be on campus if they want to talk to a counselor or to find out what is available for them and their families when they are not on campus. I also find it helpful to have contacts so I can refer students when necessary.”

For more information about these brochures or to receive one, please call x1830 for the Cambridge Campus or x1230 for the Coon Rapids Campus.

Golden Rams Soccer Player Named All-American

Anoka-Ramsey Community College Golden Rams men’s soccer player, Pat Hager (freshman), Osseo High School, was named to the 2010 NJCAA All-American Team. Hager was instrumental in the team’s 2nd consecutive Region XIII Championship and their #13 end of the season ranking in the national polls.

Food Drive and Toys for Tots Donations

It is that time of year again…the time for giving, sharing, and receiving. Please see the flyer regarding our annual Food Drive and Toys for Tots collection, sponsored by Phi Theta Kappa, Veterans Services, and the Student Veterans Club.

Food Drive: Please donate non-perishable food items. The food drive is a competition between the staff/faculty and students. Who will win the coveted trophy for the most donations this year?! Our volunteers are already keeping track of the incoming donations…and it looks like the students are off to a HUGE lead!

Toys for Tots: Please donate new, unwrapped toys for children of all ages. Babies (0 to 12 months) and teenagers (12+) are always in need of something special too. Your donations will help many families enjoy the wonder of Christmas this year!

“Give food…Give toys…Give Hope!” donation boxes are located throughout the campus, including the bulge, our Veterans Services Center, the PTA building, the lower gym and cafeteria, and by the Institutional Advancement office. Please feel free to drop off your donations at any of these locations. The last day for donating a toy or non-perishable food items is Dec. 10th.

Thank you for your generosity, Anoka-Ramsey!

Research RAMblings

Submitted by Nora Morris

Did you know?

In spring 2010 there were approximately 790 students enrolled in 38 course sections offered at 14 off-campus locations?

The number of off-campus sections offered at Anoka-Ramsey doubled in the last five years, with most of that growth occurring during FY 2010. The increase in sections offered allowed students to take a larger variety of courses at off-campus sites. For example, between fall 2008 and fall 2009, the percentage of students enrolled in more than one off-campus course offered through Coon Rapids nearly tripled, from 6% (fall 2008) to 17% (fall 2009). The percentage offered through Cambridge also increased from 4% in fall 2008 to 15% in fall 2009.

This is part of a weekly series of updates from the Institutional Research Office. Those of us in the research office have the privilege of reviewing reams of data about our students, our programs, our faculty and staff, and our institution over all. This is our attempt to share the wealth of information that passes through our office and could be useful to you in helping to know and understand who we are and the community we serve. Each week we will provide some interesting facts on a different topic. Please feel free to comment on what we present and most importantly ‘talk amongst your selves’.

Student Leadership Stipend

Do you know a student who has volunteered time and energy to make the Anoka-Ramsey Community College, Coon Rapids Campus, a better place? Each fall and spring semester students have the opportunity to apply for a Student Leadership Stipend valued between $100 and $700! Awards are made possible by the Student Leadership Program. Please encourage students to apply!

Artists Announced for Exhibition in College’s Great River Gallery, 2011 through 2012

The college Art Committee recently invited artists from around the world to exhibit in the Coon Rapids Campus Great River Gallery, and the responses were overwhelming.

With artists coming as far away as Paris, France, a schedule of exhibits has finally been developed.

Pause for Appreciation

The Cambridge Campus Guitar/Choir Concert was a lovely way to start the holiday season! It is amazing how much our students can accomplish in such a short time (some of them never having performed before coming here). I am so impressed at how many students were willing to solo! Nice going Eric [Anderson] and Sharri [VanAlstine]! Michael Wall’s alumni reception afterwards was terrific as well, including a slide show of past performers! I hope he’ll do this for other gatherings as well, and I believe he’d appreciate help in identifying students in the photos.

Discussion: Final draft of minutes was not uploaded. 10 day letter from this meeting was not sent to faculty leadership until July 21, 2010

Agenda

B. Old Business

1.Faculty Facilitator/Coordinator release credits

Discussion: FSGC discussed the confusion regarding the April minutes. Faculty left the April meeting with the understanding that they would still have the ability to have release time for coordinator-type duties, and so far that has not been approved for the departments that have requested it. The English department, for example, was told at one point to type up a proposal explaining for what specific duties they were requesting release time. However, they were then told that the request was not approved because it sounded too much like coordinator duties. There were similar requests in Math and Music that administration denied. Administration’s argument is that it violates the contract to have one person doing the original coordinator duties but not calling them a “coordinator” and not compensating them according to the contract.

In order for release time credits to be approved the by the administration, the task(s) needs to take 35 hours or more beyond the regular duties of a faculty member. There is stipends/credits/release time set aside for Divisions, not College-wide goals. Faculty would like to have the option of one person receiving release time for coordinator-type duties for those divisions that request it. The new agreement about faculty compensation and release time was an attempt to deal with budgetary issues and also as a way to compensate faculty fairly for the duties they performed.

Jessie proposed departments come up with feedback on how this year went without coordinators. The decision was to discuss this feedback at the Feb/March FSGC Meetings.

December 1st deadline for applying for departmental work

2. Clarify policy/credit for prior learning

Discussion: AASC issue. AASC will develop new procedures.

3. Telecommuting Guidelines

Discussion: Need to hold off for two weeks in order for Kim Lynch to discuss this issue.

Discussion: Jessie discussed the visit by representatives from the Chancellor’s office with both campuses this morning. So far, no decision has been made about a shared president. The committee discussed the suggestion that there is potential savings on just having one president for both colleges. Administration pointed out that one president’s salary could pay three faculty salaries. The decision about a shared president will be made in a week or so. Faculty members are interested in seeing Roger Giroux’s report about community feedback. There was more discussion about the possibilities of merging more than just the position of president (possibilities include Human Resources, Bookstore, etc.).

2. Splitting Science & Engineering Division into two divisions:

i. Physical Science & Engineering

ii. Biology

Discussion: Since this division is so large, the division unanimously voted to split. Since it is such a large division, it was getting harder and harder to meet. Meetings were getting dominated by department rather than division issues, so it made sense to split. FSGC will revisit this issue at the October 25th meeting when we have more time to discuss the pros and cons of this split.

3. 2012 Budget Update (Michael Seymour)

Discussion: Handout on Budget Assumptions for FY 2012. There is a target of 1.5 million in reductions/savings. ARCC is in a good place as our enrollment is up. Administration is looking for faculty feedback and their input on where we make can instructional cuts. Should we leave budget cut recommendations up to faculty budget committee members? Should we create a subcommittee? There was a suggestion that a subcommittee be created to work with Deidra, not necessarily only faculty from FSGC.

Mike Seymour discussed the budget outlook, including the list of brainstormed “cut ideas” from a year ago. Will there be some sort of impact from the possibility of an “alignment” with ATC? If so, will it benefit our cuts? The goal is to maintain a 15% Undesignated Fund Balance. 2013 will be more of a challenge for reductions with a possible 13% reduction estimated, which means close to $2 million for ARCC.

4. Faculty Service Years – bringing everything up to date

Discussion: Faculty and staff should be getting the recognition for the appropriate years of service. HR is working on getting caught up with the correct years. Hopefully by next duty days everyone will get recognized who didn’t at fall duty days. Faculty asked if HR could use the seniority list. That list doesn’t include part-time faculty. There is an “audit sheet” for faculty that has the information and that should work for HR to calculate years of services.

5. Policy for volunteers at the college

Discussion: Need to get volunteers approved before they are allowed to start. They also need proper training. This will be discussed further at October’s meeting.

D. Other

Michael Seymour: Master Plan, 2012-2013 IT Services

Earliest Divisions could discuss this would be November since some Divisions have already had their October meeting. This will be on the New Business for October’s meeting.

Kelly Befus: Kelly received a note about how numbers are determined for stipends for meeting facilitators. Since Deidra was not able to stay, we will add this to October’s meeting as Old Business.

The committee approved further exploration of this option, possibly including a trial study.

III. Proposals for approval:

• BMED Program Review: BioMedical AS and Clinical Research Professional Certificate—Program Review,PR-11-FY11, Program review submissionRationale: Up for review. APPROVED.

• BMED 2584: Pharmacology for nurses and related health care professionals—Add a new course,B-02-FY11, Cross-list with NURS 2584Rationale: This will allow BMED students to take the required Nurs 2584 course without paying the higher nursing differential tuition rate. Faculty will be able to teach the same curriculum to different groups of students in different formats while meeting the same courses objectives. APPROVED with the recommendation that the department review the need for a prerequisite; any revisions can be submitted to the AASC as a future information item.

• CRP Program: Clinical Research Professional Program—Change a program,B-01-FY11, Change the current NURS 2584 to BMED 2584Rationale: This will allow BMED students to take the required Nurs 2584 course without paying the higher nursing differential tuition rate. Faculty will be able to teach the same curriculum to different groups of students in different formats while meeting the same courses objectives. APPROVED.

• NURS 2584: Pharmacology for nurses and related health care professionals—Change a course,N-01-FY11, Cross-list as BMED 2584Rationale: This will allow BMED students to take the required Nurs 2584 course without paying the higher nursing differential tuition rate. Faculty will be able to teach the same curriculum to different groups of students in different formats while meeting the same courses objectives. APPROVED with the recommendation that the department review the need for a prerequisite; any revisions can be submitted to the AASC as a future information item.

• Credit for Prior Learning Academic policy: Add a policy, ES-02-FY11, Establish rules governing CPL options available to students.Rationale: MnSCU policy and procedure direct the college to develop local rules to govern implementation of the Credit for Prior Learning options at the college. These rules will facilitate the development of CPL options for students, which will benefit students who enter the college with course-related competencies and skills. APPROVED with changes that will be finalized by email discussion; Proposal will be disseminated to constituent groups for review.

• Math 1110: Introductory Statistics I—Change a course, M-01-FY11, Revise catalog description; remove unscheduled computer lab; minor revision to learner outcomes and course assessment. Rationale: Revise catalog description to include experimental design and sampling and removed chi-squared tests which reflect the modern emphasis on data-gathering techniques. Remove the unscheduled computer lab time, computer work is integrated into the regular course work. Learner outcomes and course assessment revised. APPROVED w/edits: Change the format of the course description to be consistent with other course descriptions. Clear the check box for course requirement for AAS degree and list specific degrees for which course is required. Add description for Procedure for Credit by Examination.

• SPAN 1101 and 1102: Beg. Spanish Language and Culture I and II—Change a course,H-02 and 03-FY11, Change from four to five creditsRationale: The purposes of this proposed change are threefold: 1) to better align the ARCC language program with that of other community colleges throughout the metro area; 2) to better prepare our students who will transfer to other language programs, particularly to the University of Minnesota and other colleges and universities on a five-credit program for language courses; and 3) to ensure that the content of our courses better reflects and addresses the goals as stated in the course descriptions and common course outlines. With the exception of ARCC and NHCC (which is also considering proposing to add a credit), most other colleges in the metro area offer language courses at five credits. The importance of offering 5-credit language courses in the metro area is that many of our students transfer to the University of Minnesota, which also has a 5-credit-based language program. Ninety percent of students that transfer to the University from community colleges will study in the College of Liberal Arts, which requires two years of foreign language. Studying languages on a 4-credit basis puts our students at a disadvantage as compared with students from other metro area community colleges transferring to the University of Minnesota or, for that matter, to any other institution. Moving to 5 credits, as other metro area institutions have done, would enable us to cover the grammar listed in our common course outlines and to reinforce it through meaningful proficiency-oriented exercises (as indicated in the course description) . As a result students would be better prepared for future language studies either here at Anoka-Ramsey or at a transfer institution. APPROVED.

IV. Discussion Items:

Discussed dates for December meeting for Business Program Review. Reviews will be reviewed by the Program Review Subcommittee prior to the end of the semester with recommendations to the full AASC by the January meeting.

V. Information items:

• HPER 1189: Sleeps, Eats, and Exercises—Add an experimental course, INFO-06-FY11, In Collaboration with the University of Minnesota, ARCC is adding this course as a learning and research tool. We will be using it as a base health class and trying to look at the effects of the curriculum on students.Rationale: To provide students with the knowledge and skill they need to live a balanced life while in college. To provide base health information and look at how using this information could affect weight gain among college students. APPROVED.

News from President Jessica Stumpf

Finals Finally

As fall semester comes to a close, I want to wish you congratulations on a successful semester! For those going on winter break, I hope you enjoy your holidays and time with family and friends. For all who will remain on campus, thank you for preparing students for spring. Meeting the needs of a growing student body is no easy task. Your hard work is greatly appreciated!

Wonderful December Events

What a joy it has been for me and many community members to attend the amazing concerts and lively art events on our two campuses. It’s clear that the college is a true resource that is embraced by the communities served by each campus. I look forward to what is coming next!

Reminder … Smoking Areas Changing, Jan. 3

Theatre Faculty Gets Congressional Kudos

Jack Bibee, Coon Rapids Campus Theatre faculty member, recently received a letter of congratulations for the 50th play he directed at Anoka-Ramsey. Congressman, Erik Paulsen personally thanked Jack for his service to the college and the community.

Read the entire letter HERE.

Great work, Jack!

All-Americans A-Plenty at Anoka-Ramsey

Two freshman athletes at Anoka-Ramsey have been named to All-American teams.

Women’s volleyball player, Alysha Reinhardt, a freshman middle hitter from Coon Rapids High School, was named a 1st Team All-American by the NJCAA for Division III Volleyball. Reinhardt had a stellar season in helping lead the team to a 23 win season along with a pair of 2nd place finishes at the MCAC State Tournament and the Region 13A Tournament.

Men’s soccer player, Pat Hager, a freshman from Osseo High School, was named to the 2010 NJCAA All-American Team. Hager was instrumental in the team’s 2nd consecutive Region XIII Championship and their #13 end of the season ranking in the national polls.

“Pat is a wonderful player and even better leader,” says Brady Eichhorn-Hicks, Anoka-Ramsey Head Men's and Women's Soccer Coach. “He was voted captain as a first-year player, and I couldn't agree more with the players that he was a great choice. His leadership ability allowed us to play him in a position he wasn't familiar with without any trouble. He came to us as a central midfielder but had to play center back out of necessity and never complained once. Without his technical and tactical ability, we certainly would not have had the successful season we did. We look forward to having another season with him.”

Basketball Teams

The women’s (9-1) and men’s (6-3) basketball teams are both off to winning starts. Be sure to catch a game this weekend at the Anoka-Ramsey Community College Classic Tournament at home in Coon Rapids!

For more information about the exciting college athletic teams click HERE.

Construction Update

Health Wellness Center – The project Review Team reviewed 20 very good proposals from architectural firms for the design of the Health and Wellness Center. We want to thank all the firms for their time and effort to put together their proposals. After much deliberation the team chose three firms to be shortlisted: Hagemeister Mack, RRTL, and TKDA. Next, these firms will be interviewed by the team on Wednesday, Dec. 15. Of the three teams, two will be forwarded to Vice President, Michael Seymour and President Jessie Stumpf, for a final decision. Once an architectural firm is hired, the design process will move ahead in anticipation of bonds being sold in late January to finance the project. If all goes well, it’s possible that construction could begin as early as next summer.

Academic Support Center Remodel – During the winter break, selective demolition of the old business/records office space will prepare for the remodel for a new Academic Support Center. When completed it will house all the activities that are now all along the west lower level student center.

Visual Art Center – During winter break, the glass blowing lab will be moved to the new Visual Arts Center. This is the last move to complete that project. Once this move is complete and as soon as the funding becomes available, the college will renovate the Fine Arts building to make it appropriate for music education. This request for funding is Anoka-Ramsey’s #1 Capital Budget Request in the 2012 bonding cycle, or if there happened to be a special off year bonding in 2011.

BioScience Addition – An addition to the south side of campus for a BioScience building remains our #2 Capital Budget Request for the 2012 bonding cycle.

“How to Become a Grant Reviewer”

Serving as a grant reviewer has many benefits including learning what others in your field are doing and learning about federal agencies and their grants programs.

Contact Don Long if you would like to find out more or have questions.

Research RAMblings

Submitted by Nora MorrisDecember 8, 2010

Did you know:

Over 60% of Anoka-Ramsey full time employees hold college degrees (Associates degree or higher)?

This is part of a weekly series of updates from the Institutional Research Office. Those of us in the research office have the privilege of reviewing reams of data about our students, our programs, our faculty and staff, and our institution over all. This is our attempt to share the wealth of information that passes through our office and could be useful to you in helping to know and understand who we are and the community we serve. Each week we will provide some interesting facts on a different topic. Please feel free to comment on what we present and most importantly ‘talk amongst your selves’.

Pot Lucks Galore This Week

Please find the event that fits your unit

Tis’ the season for pot lucks at Anoka-Ramsey Community College. Hope you will participate! If you are unsure which pot luck your unit hosts, feel free to ask your supervisor or one of the contacts below.

Biomedical Student Presentations

You are cordially invited to attend the Biomedical student presentations this semester. Seven students will present their first 150 hours of biomedical experience! These experiences were gained from the following companies: Medtronic, Coaxia, Minnitech, SterileMed and St. Jude. Areas of focus were engineering, production, manufacturing, quality and clinical. These presentations will be Wednesday, Dec. 15, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., in the Riverview Room on the Coon Rapids Campus. Hot cider and cookies will be provided!

College of Choice for Faculty & Staff

Ed Wehling, Memberships to American Meteorological Society and National Association of Geoscience Teachers, $109

Wellness Fund Approvals

Crystal Nelson, $69.13

Pause for Appreciation

Our Very Own Secretary on KDWB

If you haven’t heard yet, our very own secretary, Sarah Deering, was on the air helping grant a Christmas wish to a student worker for Laurie Lopez. What I find so amazing is that Sarah thinks so much of others and puts others ahead of herself. As an example of her generosity, I recently had a large amount of unexpected work dumped upon me and Sarah volunteered to jump right in and help. I didn’t even have to ask.

Take a listen for yourself as Sarah is interviewed by the Dave Ryan Morning Show and reads her nomination letter on the air.

-Lance Lund

Follow-Ups on Lance’s Kudos

Thank you Lance for sharing this. I agree wholeheartedly with your comments! I have experienced Sarah’s generosity first hand. Thanks again for sharing such an inspiring and positive note!

-Paula Croonquist

Greetings on a very cold morning. Thanks to all of the Facilities Staff for the extra time and energy taken to get the college buildings closed on Saturday and then ready for operation again today. I also want to thank Mary Jacobson for the thorough communication provided by her and her department. Keeping our staff and students safe is an important part of our work. Again, thank you.

-Jessie Stumpf

Note to Deidra Peaslee, Chief Academic Officer:

I am a 36-year old student in Professor [Jim] Biederman's general psychology class.

I want to let you know how much I have thoroughly enjoyed the class and much more so Professor Biederman himself. He has provided an excellent learning environment with regards to his lectures. They are very interesting and keep me engaged. He tells wonderful stories and makes excellent analogies. He keeps the class "real" and makes examples you can apply to your life right now. You can see his pure enjoyment for teaching the class in his facial expressions. He smiles a lot and gets animated when telling stories or giving examples.

This is technically my second year back to school. Last year I took one class my first and second semesters just to get my feet wet since I also have small children at home. This year I am taking on a little more as my kids are in school. I expect to take on more next year and am going for my nursing degree.

I have been nervous at times about the return to school but teachers like Professor Biederman make the experience that much more engaging. I am grateful to have had him this semester and hope I can take another class with him on my journey. He truly shows his passion for his job and it has been a true joy to be a student of his.

Thank you for your time and hope you have a nice Thanksgiving holiday.

Volume XXXVIII, No. 21: December 20, 2010

Happy Holidays

Since my start at Anoka-Ramsey in July, it has been such a pleasure to meet all of you who work so hard for our students. I’ve especially enjoyed the wonderful pot lucks! It’s my wish that all of you take time to celebrate the season with family and friends during the next few weeks. Don’t let the snow slow you down!

Carol Johnson, community member and mother of Randy Johnson who recently passed away from MS, called Anoka-Ramsey to ask if the Music Department would be interested in a harpsichord Randy built about 30 years ago.

Music Faculty member Melissa Bergstrom was very interested. After several conversations with Carol, Melissa and many of her students hauled the harpsichord to the Coon Rapids Campus.

According to Melissa, the instrument does need some repairs, but she has been assured by Dr. Peter Hendrickson from Augsburg College (her alma mater), who has built several harpsichords himself; it will be a good asset for the college.

"I want to thank Evelyn Gedde for putting me in touch with Carol," says Melissa. "It was wonderful to meet her, learn about her son, and celebrate his gifts and talents and story. I am looking forward to sending her photos and inviting her to an upcoming concert when we include this harpsichord!"

Great work Evelyn and Melissa!

After helping Music Faculty Melissa Bergstrom haul the donated harpsichord to the Coon Rapids Campus, students admired the extensive lid and soundboard decorations, learned more about the instrument, including what minor repairs may be necessary to prepare it for use in upcoming college concerts.

Research RAMblings

Submitted by Nora Morris

Did you know:

13.2% of students enrolled in 12 credits or more at Anoka-Ramsey Community College report working over 30 hours per week? Although high, this is less than at other MnSCU two year colleges (16.8%) and nationally (21.2%).

In 2009, 21.6% of full-time students at Anoka-Ramsey Community College reported participating in college-sponsored activities (organizations, campus publications, student government, intercollegiate or intramural sports, etc)? This compares with 28.5% at other MnSCU two-year colleges and 24.9% nationally.

Want to know more?

This is part of a weekly series of updates from the Institutional Research Office. Those of us in the research office have the privilege of reviewing reams of data about our students, our programs, our faculty and staff, and our institution over all. This is our attempt to share the wealth of information that passes through our office and could be useful to you in helping to know and understand who we are and the community we serve. Each week we will provide some interesting facts on a different topic. Please feel free to comment on what we present and most importantly ‘talk amongst yourselves’.

College of Choice for Faculty & Staff

Social Amenities

Cards were sent to Belinda Mulligan and Jim Nieswaag.

A card and a plant were sent to Kirk Young.

Wellness Fund Approvals

Scott Bay, $100

Claudia Evarts-Kittock, $100

Annette Hughes, $100

Stephen Jones, $100

Pause for Appreciation

A word of appreciation to all who have found lost valuables and personal property and who turn them into lost and found in the Public Safety offices, at both campuses. If you could see the faces and other expressions of gratefulness and relief in those who can re-claim their property you would, and should, feel really good about the great favor you did for them. Thanks for being a good citizen and a good example for all of us!

-Orrin Nyhus

Thursday, Dec. 16 was Liz Nist’s last day, and I would like to publicly thank her for all her years of service at the college.

Liz joined the English department in the early 1990s, bringing much-needed expertise in composition and rhetoric to a largely literature-trained division. Liz was a pioneer teaching on the Internet, creating her own website The Write Place and designing many of the online policies and procedures that are still in place at Anoka-Ramsey Community College today. Liz, an assessment guru, led both the division and the college through several rounds of thoughtful curriculum realignment, all while teaching excellent composition and literature classes, bringing guest speakers on campus, serving on the board of directors of the Conference on College Composition and Communication, and diversifying our course offerings and materials.

Energetic, logical, and forthright, Liz has always been ahead of her time. She has been a thoughtful, organized, and dedicated member of our division whose leadership will be greatly missed. I hope you will join me in celebrating her retirement in May when the college will be hosting an exhibition of Liz’s paintings and poems. Until then, let’s bid a wonderful colleague farewell.

Thanks, Liz, for making Anoka-Ramsey a better place.

-Kathryn Kysar

Happy retirement, Liz Nist!

I have such positive memories of my time as your student in English classes at Anoka-Ramsey Community College! I continue to be amazed at your energy and curious nature.

Best Wishes!

-Jeannine Kitzhaber

I achieved my AA from Anoka-Ramsey Community College (Cambridge Campus ) while it was under the direction of Tom Levig. That was the beginning, and now this is the end. Isn’t life grand?

From a green tin shed to a two-floor beautiful building with an elevator, auditorium, technology, and science labs – what changes happen over time!

I just want to mention a few people who have made this journey for me so memorable:

Doug Allen

Kathleen Hoffman

Dee Dee Peaslee

Dave Fast

Crystal Nelson

Pam Peterson

Dana Irgens

Security

Mom

Monday night coffee times with Mr. Anderson and his group of Swedish folks, to making friends with great people, sharing the births of several children, and deaths of family members of my colleagues.

This has been a wild ride and I am so thankful that I have had the privilege to work with such an amazing group of professionals. I have learned so much and now I am a better teacher because of my opportunities here at Anoka-Ramsey.

I will take all of you with me – forever – and please don’t forget to laugh as often as you can – remember me when you laugh!